Summary

  • Root stumped on 149 off a no-ball; also dropped on 16

  • Skipper shares in big stands with Moeen (61*) & Stokes (56)

  • Three wickets for Philander

  • England won toss; first of four-match series

Live Reporting

Jamie Lillywhite

  1. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Ollie Gibbons: First Test Match of the summer is finally upon us, it's been too long to wait for red ball Cricket!

  2. Get Involved

    So, how the devil are you?

    Pleased to see the return of some proper cricket? Does it feel like the summer has begun?

    Let me know what you're doing to mark the first Test, your thoughts on the England team, or just whatever you might be up to today.

    Text 81111, tweet #bbccricket or email tms@bbc.co.uk.

  3. South Africa have got their own problems. No De Villiers, no Steyn, a stand-in captain. Then again, they always seem to manage to beat England.

    After the Proteas, the visit of the West Indies and the first day-night Test to be held in this country.

    Test cricket. Welcome back. It's been far, far too long.

  4. England's selection policy is starting to represent a club XI. Not entirely sure there are enough batsmen around, so fill the team with players who can do a bit of everything.

    Can Gary Ballance justify a second recall? Is Jonny Bairstow too high at number five? Will Alastair Cook ever find a permanent opening partner? Why exactly has Liam Dawson been picked?

    All building towards the small matter of an Ashes defence down under (if Australia get their house in order).

  5. Yep, in a little while, Joe Root will emerge from the Lord's dressing room, shakes hands with Dean Elgar (another first-time captain) and toss the coin to begin England's Test summer.

    A Test summer that's about so much more than a new skipper...

  6. From Grace to Jardine, Hammond to Cowdrey. From Illingworth to Greig, Brearley to Gooch. From Atherton to Vaughan, Strauss to Cook.

    Today, the 80th man to lead England in Test cricket dons the cap and blazer.

    No ordinary Joe.

    Joe RootGet

  7. The biggest, most stressful job in British sport?

    Part player, part manager. Part tactician, part psychologist. Part friend, part enemy. Part selector, part politician.

  8. Well, put it this way. In the space of the past four prime ministers - Blair, Brown, Cameron and May - England have only had four 'permanent' captains - Vaughan, Pietersen, Strauss and Cook.

  9. Sometimes you wonder why being the England Test captain, or the appointment of a new skipper, is such a big deal.

    Douglas JardineGetty Images